Dr. Sparano is a clinical researcher who develops and evaluates new treatment approaches for breast cancer, lymphoma, and other cancers, including cancers associated with HIV infection. He also identifies genes that can be used to determine breast cancer prognosis and predict response to treatment – and that may be targeted in cancer as a treatment. He was involved in developing the Oncotype DCIS test, which provides patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast a score that predicts the likelihood of recurrence after surgery, allowing the treatment program to be individualized.

Dr. Sparano is chair of the New York Cancer Consortium, a multicenter, clinical trials group that evaluates promising cancer therapies. He is also study chair of TAILORx (Trial Assigning IndividuaLized Options for Treatment (Rx)), an NIH-sponsored trial assessing whether genes frequently associated with recurrence for women with early stage breast cancer can help in assigning patients to the most effective treatment. Dr. Sparano serves as chair of the Breast Committee and associate chair for Disease and Modality Oriented Research at the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and Vice-Chair of the AIDS Malignancy Consortium, which develops new prevention and treatment strategies for cancers associated with HIV infection. He is also a member of NCI Breast Cancer Steering Committee, which provides oversight of breast cancer clinical research in the U.S.